Wood as an Art in Itself - Part 2/2
Majority of wood species has capability of producing a burl (a rounded knotty growth on a tree, giving an attractive figure when polished and used especially for handcrafted objects and veneers). In a so-called burl, there is minimal consistent grain. A wood with this kind of feature can have an array of imperfections from darker portions of the grain up to the heavy knots. Burls are immensely unstable which simply means that the wood has the capacity to easily move on its own. The most effective time to utilize a burl is when the wood is dry. And because wood with burls are a bit unstable, extreme care should be taken in to consideration in order to prevent the splitting of the wood.
Several species of wood can possess different types of grains. Maple does not have a sole type of grain pattern. Bird’s eye Maple, which is curly, has that roller effect infused with bird’s eye pattern. Because burls possess an inconsistent grain, a lot of different types can be found in them. A slap of cherry burl can possess a lot of discoloration running through its grains with some knotting and of course bird’s eye.
One specie of wood that possess an extraordinary type of grain is the so-called snakewood. It has a brownish color that is high in density. It is one of the few species of woods that will sink in water. The grain emulates the appearance of a snakeskin all the way through the wood. No growth rings can be seen on the grain. When finished, the wood turns out to be amazingly appealing.
HEART ELEMENT: Wood also has sapwood and heartwood. Sapwood is located at the outer part of the tree. Heartwood is located at the center or the heart of the tree. There is a substantial difference between sapwood and heartwood. The former is lighter in terms of color and a bit softer as compared to the latter. Wooden plates and other ustensils can be made out of heartwood, sapwood, or even a combination of both to come out with a fusion of color combination.
Some wooden elements are finished by means of lamination. Laminated wood simply consist of several pieces of wood that are positioned in a particular pattern. These wooden blanks must be prepared prior to being turned into any specific piece.
If it were not for the broad differences and peculiarities between elements and different classes of woods, then all wooden products would practically look the same. From linear-grained type of wood to the most extraordinary burls, the said imperfections of the wood will simply showcases aesthetically appealing impact on its appearance. Primarily, the more imperfect the wood, the more special the work of art can be.
Truly indeed, there is beauty in the wooden industry. One only has to appreciate and give life to what wood has to offer. Not to mention that these species can be immortalized if maintained and dealt with properly. Otherwise, we would simply miss the chance that this beautiful gift of nature has to offer. Look around you and witness all the wooden items surrounding you. Visit our showroom and factory and enjoy that wide range of grain variation, knot and other perfect imperfection.
At the end of the day, the wood itself is an art.